A DECADE OF INSPIRATION WGA Showrunner Training Program
10 YEARS OF EDUCATION AND INSPIRATION Message From Peter Roth
For 10 years, the Writers Guild Showrunner Training Program — with the support of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers — has provided an extraordinary opportunity to WGA members, a course that should be required attendance for anyone with any intention of helming a television series.
The innovative six-week program provides prospective showrunners with the most important fundamentals of how to lead and successfully shepherd a series. Writers are counseled on the importance of the subtler elements of the job, including network and studio relationships; the value of fiscal responsibility; and the strength of true leadership — how to inspire, galvanize and utilize the best talents of their teams. Utilizing experienced, thoughtful, veteran showrunners and guest speakers to share insights, anecdotes and workshops, this forum has proven to be critically important for writers to learn, participate, grow and succeed.
And for proof of the program’s efficacy, you need look no further than the fact that more than 60 new series have been created or co-created by alumni of the Showrunner Training Program. From my perspective, having spent 41 years working as an executive in television, I am convinced that it’s the best, most comprehensive, most important program available to showrunners in the business. The benefits of this program — for writers as well as for those of us on the network and studio side — are immeasurable. It is therefore my great pleasure to congratulate the Writers Guild of America and everyone involved in the Showrunner Training Program on a highly successful first 10 years and to wish you continued great good luck as you embark on your second decade of training the future showrunners of our industry.
With gratitude and appreciation,
Peter Roth President and Chief Content Officer Warner Bros. Television Group Message From Jeff Melvoin
When I first approached WGA West President John Wells with the idea of a Show Runner Training Program, I sensed there was a hunger for it, but had no idea the response would be so overwhelming.
Ten years later, the enthusiasm and need have only grown — and they’re related. The ongoing upheaval in the television industry has dramatically intensified the demand for show runners, creating a turbulent environment that thrusts an increasing number of writers into show-running responsibilities without benefit of much, if any, on-the-job apprenticeship.
When the SRTP began, my expectation was that all applicants would have at least some staff experience. That changed when we admitted Matt Nix, the creator of Burn Notice, in our second year. He was a key contributor, and the subsequent success of his series was no surprise. I joked that henceforth we would reserve “the Matt Nix chair” for an outstanding candidate who had never set foot in a writers room before.
Today, that’s become “the Matt Nix string section,” as more and more candidates apply with a paucity of television experience, but a corresponding wealth of diversity in background, creativity, and potential.
As the business continues to evolve, so will the SRTP. To a point – because the most important things the program has to offer are precisely those qualities and skills that don’t change with the times, but remain vital to successfully running any series in any context.
Balancing the old and the new is a challenge I didn’t expect ten years ago, but view today as one of the great benefits of the program personally. It certainly keeps me on my toes.
But my chief pleasure has been the opportunity to get to know the many veteran show runners and other industry professionals who have generously given their time to instruct and, most especially, the 280 remarkable writers who have been our class members thus far.
Our alumni are not only television’s future, but after ten years, a growing part of its present. Their professional achievements speak for themselves, but it is the intangibles – their leadership, character, and collegiality – that make me equally proud. Working with them has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. And the good news is, there’s another class coming this year. I can’t wait. Message From Yvette Bowser
For the past decade it has been my extreme honor to collaborate with Jeff Melvoin and Carole Kirschner to establish and refine the WGA Showrunner Training Program. Its strength lies not only in the time and experiences shared by accomplished mentors and guest speakers, but also in the talented and dedicated participants who enroll and contribute to the program each year.
When I was invited to participate in developing the curriculum for the SRTP, I was flattered and concerned. How could we impart, in six weeks time, what took so many writer-producers years to learn? How might we boil everything down to a format we could succinctly and clearly pass on to future show runners? How exactly would we teach the art of managing art? It sounded like an incredible challenge… and a little crazy. But somehow, with effort from a dedicated committee, and lots of healthy debate, we managed to pull things together for the first session and continued polishing from there. Much like the process from story breaking to shooting script, the program has been a work in progress, constantly evolving and improving to suit the times and the needs of the industry and future show runners.
Our main goal has always been to demystify the TV series management process and help better define the nebulous role of show runner. As a team, we’ve succeeded in providing clearer focus on demands, expectations and skills required of such an all-encompassing, and creative, leadership position. Many of the program’s graduates now thrive as chief architects and decision-makers of highly regarded series. SRTP participants are now sought after by studios and networks, as their talents have been further augmented by the credentials of this esteemed program.
From the beginning the networks and studios have collectively agreed to financially support this specific curriculum, designed to remove some of the guesswork from the process and replace it with the best tutelage and methodologies our industry has to offer. The net gain is found in increased management, monetary efficiencies and expanded career growth.
As we eagerly anticipate the 11th year of the program, I look forward to new faces, new ideas, new horror stories, and helping my peers reach their goals. Here’s to many more years of engaged show runner training and entertaining, skillfully-executed television. Message From Carole Kirschner
In 2005 WGA West Executive Director John McLean approached me to assist Jeff Melvoin as Jeff was initially developing the curriculum for the Show Runner Training Program. I was intrigued. There had never been such a
Program and we were starting from scratch. But we knew that if we got it right we would be providing invaluable and timely assistance; not just to writer-producers but to the companies as well.
From the success of our alumni over the first decade, as well as the continuing enthusiastic response from the community, it feels like we’re getting it right so far.
It has been my honor to be the Director of the Showrunner Training Program from its inception and to work with so many generous and talented television professionals. From Jeff and Yvette to MC Foley for the past 7 years and Sharline Liu before that, to all the guest speakers and every alumni, it has been a pleasure to help manage and shepherd the Show Runner Training Program.
Here’s to the next ten years!
Carole Kirschner 10 YEARS OF GUEST SPEAKERS We thank every television professional who gave their time to contribute to the SRTP
Courtney Kemp Agboh Kenya Barris Shane Brennan Ilene Chaiken
Mara Brock Akil Janine Sherman Barrois Bob Broder Adam Chase
JoAnn Alfano Kevin Bassinson Sterling Brown Joey Chavez
Josh Appelbaum Sam Baum Casey Brown Jon Chibnal
Meredith Averill Carter Bays Andy Cadiff Leo Chu
Neal Baer Ben Benedetti Steve Callaghan Aron Coleite
Tim Bagley Greg Berlanti Stephen J. Cannell Ryan Condal
Alan Ball Maggie Blanc Chris Cantwell Matt Corman
Carol Barbee Steven Bochco Jill Cargerman Carter Covington
Paris Barclay Rob Bowman Robert Carlock Liz Craft
Lynn Barrie Yvette Lee Bowser Jennifer Cecil Carlton Cuse Collin Daniel Sam Ernst Eric Friedman Neil Goldman
Greg Daniels Steve Faber Josh Friedman Jessica Goldstein
Steve Dayan Sarah Fain Eric Garcia Howard Gordon
Liz Dean Stephen Falk Greg Garcia Maria Grasso
Russell Denove Kevin Falls Joe Gayton Brett Greenstein
Kevin Dowling Ann Farriday Tony Gayton Jonathan Groff
James Duff Felicia Fasano Glenn Geller Stephanie Groves
Ed Duffy Michele Fazekas R. Scott Gemmill Barbara Hall
Jim Dunn Kenneth Fink Vince Gilligan Emily Halpern
David Eick Caitlin Foito Gary Glasberg Doug Hannah
Diane English Duke Foster Lesli Linka Glatter Hart Hanson
Jason Ensler Michael Fresco Michael Gleason Chris Harris Arthur Harris David Hudgins Chris Keyser Andrew Kreisberg
Sarah Haskins Jamila Hunter Michael Patrick King Elizabeth Kruger
Eileen Heisler Albert Ibbotson Cleo King John Landgraf
Dave Hemingson Laura Innes Justin Kirk Bill Lawrence
Abraham Higginbotham Lauren Iungerich Alan Kirschenbaum Janet Leahy
Andy Hill Jennifer Johnson Jay Kleckner Andrew Leeds
Timothy Hillman Dan Kaplow Aaron Klemanski Paul Leiberstein
Alicia Hirsch Emily Kapnek Alexis Koczara Carol Leifer
Michael Hoggan Jason Katims Jenji Kohan Gregory Lemkin
David Holden Gloria Calderon Kellett Aaron Korsh Steve Levitan
Adam Horowitz Brad Kern Ted Kotcheff Adele Lim
Ellen Huang Todd Kessler Lindsey Kraft Warren Littlefield Stacy Littlejohn Rob McElhenney Rina Mimoun Chris Ord
Kari Lizer Tawnia McKiernan Vahan Moosekian Ed Ornelas
Rob Long Laverne McKinnon Charles Murray James Parriott
Claudia Lonow Brian McNamara DJ Nash Iain Paterson
Rob Lotterstein Julie McNamara Jan Nash David Paymer
Heather MacGillvray Jeff Melvoin Andre Nemec Brian Peterson
Steve Maeda Carol Mendelsohn Matt Nix Quan Phung
Greg Malins Liz Meriwether Ross Novie Chrissy Pietrosh
Joe Manganiello Erica Messer Marti Noxon Nancy Pimental
Linda Mathious Adam Milch Lynda Obst Rose Catherine Pinkney
Ian Maxtone-Graham David Miller Peter O’Fallon CCH Pounder
Glen Mazzara Nancy Miller Ken Olin Scott Powell Dawn Prestwich Joe Russo Jed Seidel Kenny Smith
Ben Queen Anthony Russo Dave Semel Kelly Souders
Tal Rabinowitz Shawn Ryan Deran Serafian Tom Spezialy
Mark Reisman Ajay Sahgal Naren Shankar David Stapf
Shonda Rhimes Danielle Sanchez-Witzel Craig Shapiro Jon Steinberg
Chris Rogers Ken Sanzel Richard Shepard Hank Steinberg
John Rogers Stephanie Savage Greer Shephard Reed Steiner
Phil Rosenthal Robin Schiff Chris Sheridan Veena Sud
Peter Roth Thomas Schlamme Christine Shevchenko Craig Sweeny
Elisa Roth Mike Schur David Shore Janet Tamaro
Russell Rothberg Mike Scully Sidney Sidell Geoff Tarson
Mike Royce Bryan Seabury Craig Siebels Nina Tassler Christian Taylor Greg Walker Jamie Wooten
John Terlesky Rick Wallace Tom Wright
Craig Thomas Linda Wallem Rob Wright
Sarah Timberman Morgan Wandell Nicole Yorkin
Peter Tolan Matt Warburton Constance Zimmer
Tim Tommasino Ben Watkins
Kriss Turner Lizzy Weiss
Blair Underwood Brett Weitz
Nadine Velazquez John Wells
Tom Verica Clancy Collins White
Patric M. Verrone John Wirth
Veronique Vowell Danny Woodburn 2005 SHOWRUNNER TRAINING PROGRAM ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Jeff Melvoin John Wirth Marc Sandman (ABC/Touchstone)
John Wells Nicole Yorkin Harry Issacs (CBS)
Yvette Lee Bowser Dawn Prestwich
SHOWRUNNER TRAINING PROGRAM COMMITTEE AND STAFF
Jeff Melvoin, Chair Lise Anderson, WGAW Assistant Executive Director
Yvette Lee Bowser, Vice Chair MC Foley, WGAW Showrunner Training Program & TV Digital Media Coordinator Carole Kirschner, Director Sharline Liu, WGAW Events Specialist Ann Widdifield, WGAW Consultant Photos by Leroy Hamilton SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2006 SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2006
Greg Ball Nick Holly Eddy Kitsis Michael Reisz
Steve Blackman Adam Horowitz Sheila Lawrence Bragi Schut
Patricia Breen Ted Humphrey Glen Mazzara John Stephens
Jordan Budde Darlene Hunt Bryan Moore Veena Sud
Brian Burns Lori Lakin Hutcherson Charles Murray Craig Sweeny
Sarah Goldfinger Susan Nirah Jaffee Chris Peterson Carla Waddles
SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2006
Photos by Leroy Hamilton SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2007 SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2007
Jordana Arkin Elizabeth Craft Erin Maher Danielle Sanchez-Witzel
Janae Bakken Sarah Fain Matt Nix Ken Sanzel
Janine Sherman Barrois Adam E. Fierro Laurie Parres Todd Slavkin
Sam Baum Ilana Bar-Din Giannini Brian Peterson Kelly Souders
Debora Cahn Jennifer Glickman Kay Reindl Darren Swimmer
Steve Callaghan Chris Harris Scott Rosenbaum Kriss Turner
Jerry Collins Jennifer Johnson Ajay Sahgal Wendy West
SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2007
Photos by Leroy Hamilton SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2008 SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2008
Alfredo Barrios Denitria Harris-Lawrence Don McGill Jon Steinberg
Zoanne Clack Julie Hebert Henry Alonso Myers Janet Tamaro
Paul Corrigan Cheryl Heuton DJ Nash Sharon Lee Watson
Jim Dunn Abraham Higginbotham Jan Oxenberg David Wilcox
Sam Ernst John Hoberg Michael Oates Palmer Brad Walsh
Nick Falacci Gloria Calderon Kellett Stacy Rukeyser Alice Wu
Mark Goffman Kat Likkel Joe Sachs
SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2008
Photos by Michael Jones SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2009 SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2009
Dave Andron Liz Friedman John Hlavin Joshua Safran
Amy Berg John Frink David Hudgins Al Septien
Steven Binder Karin Gist Luisa Leschin James Stoteraux
Alexander Cary Sara Goodman Adele Lim Christy Stratton
Andy Dettmann Sylvia Green Turi Meyer Virgil Williams
Dan Fesman Joy Gregory Ally Musika Bird York
Chad Fiveash Taylor Hamra Angela Russo
SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2009
Photos by Leroy Hamilton SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2010 SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2010
Jonathan Abrahams Jessica Goldstein David Lampson Rob Rosell
Sally Bradford Peter Gould Andrew Leeds Ron Rappaport
Jill Cargerman Holly Henderson Amanda Lasher Far Shariat
Chris Collins Don Whitehead Scott Marder Ben Watkins
Matt Corman Davey Holmes George Mastras Sarah Watson
Chris Ord Andre Jacquemetton Bryan Oh Alexander Woo
Adam Giaudrone Maria Jacquemetton Chrissy Pietrosh
SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2010
Photos by Michael Jones SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2011 SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2011
Jane Anderson Sarah Cunningham Steven Kane Craig Shapiro
Veronica Becker Fred Einesman Aaron Korsh Elizabeth Kruger
Adam Belanoff Stephen Falk Sarah Kucserka Salvatore Stabile
April Blair Suzie V Freeman Gary Lennon Michael Sussman
Max Burnett Eric Garcia Kam Miller Melinda Hsu Taylor
Leo Chu Joe Gayton Erik Oleson Raelle Tucker
Cindy Caponera Tony Gayton Joe Pokaski Stephnie Weir
Jennifer Cecil Kyle Harimoto Michael Perry Gren Wells
Maisha Closson Darin Henry Bert Royal Rob Wright
SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2011
Photos by Michael Jones SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2012 SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2012
Courtney Kemp Agboh Karl Gajdusek Dean Lopata Reed Steiner
Michael Alaimo Scott Gimple Ashley Miller Zack Stentz
Semi Chellas David Holden Margaret Nagle Dahvi Waller
Cheo Hodari Coker Chris Hollier John Norris Matt Ward
Carter Covington Michael Horowitz Kamran Pasha Alan Yang
David Digilio Scott King Nancy M. Pimental
Brent Fletcher Steve Lightfoot Sean Reycraft
Eric Friedman Jonathan Lisco Sanjay Shah
SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2012
Photos by Michael Jones SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2013 SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2013
Meredith Averill Etan Frankel Alison McDonald Paul Ruehl
Julia Cho Drew Z. Greenberg Adam Milch Peter Saji
Aron Coleite Emily Halpern Daniel Petrie Jr. Teri Schaffer
Duppy Demetrius Sarah Haskins Scott Prendergast Jon Sherman
Evan Dunsky Joe Henderson Rashad Raisani Esta Spalding
Owen Ellickson Jason Horwitch Corey Reed Raynelle Swilling
Ayanna Floyd Jenny Lee Pamela Ribon
SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2013
Photos by Michael Jones SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2014 SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2014
Mark A. Altman Ben Epstein Colleen McGuinness Jessica Sharzer
Kenya Barris Jim “Danger” Gray Jacqueline McKinley Josh Silverstein
Bradley Bell Aaron Helbing Christopher Murphey Christian Taylor
Duncan Birmingham Todd Helbing Michael Narducci Bridget Tyler
Sheila Callaghan Felicia Henderson Robert Port Roger Wolfson
Christopher Cantwell Tod Himmel Ben Queen Sam Wolfson
Andrew Chambliss Dave Kalstein Marco Ramirez
Pat Charles Steve Kriozere Christopher Rogers
Ryan Condal Antonia March Tad Safran
SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2014
Photos by Michael Jones SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2015 Tina Albanese May Chan Rick Muirragui Deb Schoeneman
Nick Antosca Adrian A. Cruz Jessica O’Toole David Schulner
Peter Blake Karen DiConcetto Ryan Oxford Emily Silver
Christine Boylan Craig Engler Amy Rardin Malcolm Spellman
Alison Brown Jason Gann Scott Reynolds Nick Stanton
Devin Bunje Gabriel Garza Kathleen Robertson Joe Wilson
Jonathan Butler Mauricio Katz Dailyn Rodriguez
Nkechi Okoro Carroll Patrick Labyorteaux Seth Zvi Rosenfeld
SHOWRUNNER CLASS 2015
Showrunner Training Program Alumni
Jonathan Abrahams Alfredo Barrios Peter Blake Steve Callaghan
Courtney Kemp Agboh Kenya Barris Christine Boylan Christopher Cantwell
Michael Alaimo Janine Sherman Barrois Sally Bradford Cindy Caponera
Tina Albanese Sam Baum Patricia Breen Jill Cargerman
Mark A. Altman Veronica Becker Alison Brown Nkechi Okoro Carroll
Jane Anderson Adam Belanoff Jordan Budde Alexander Cary
Dave Andron Bradley Bell Devin Bunje Jennifer Cecil
Nick Antosca Amy Berg Max Burnett Andrew Chambliss
Jordana Arkin Steven Binder Brian Burns May Chan
Meredith Averill Duncan Birmingham Jonathan Butler Pat Charles
Janae Bakken Steve Blackman Debora Cahn Semi Chellas
Greg Ball April Blair Sheila Callaghan Julia Cho Leo Chu Sarah Cunningham Sarah Fain John Frink
Zoanne Clack Duppy Demetrius Nick Falacci Karl Gajdusek
Maisha Closson Andy Dettmann Stephen Falk Jason Gann
Aron Coleite Karen DiConcetto Dan Fesman Eric Garcia
Chris Collins David DiGilio Adam E. Fierro Gabriel Garza
Jerry Collins Jim Dunn Chad Fiveash Joe Gayton
Ryan Condal Evan Dunsky Brent Fletcher Tony Gayton
Matt Corman Fred Einesman Ayanna Floyd Ilana Bar-Din Giannini
Paul Corrigan Owen Ellickson Etan Frankel Adam Giaudrone
Carter Covington Craig Engler Suzie V. Freeman Scott Gimple
Elizabeth Craft Ben Epstein Eric Friedman Karin Gist
Adrian A. Cruz Sam Ernst Liz Friedman Jennifer Glickman Mark Goffman Chris Harris Tod Himmel Ted Humphrey
Sarah Goldfinger Denitria Harris-Lawrence John Hlavin Darlene Hunt
Jessica Goldstein Sarah Haskins John Hoberg Andre Jacquemetton
Sara Goodman Julie Hebert Cheo Hodark Coker Maria Jacquemetton
Peter Gould Aaron Helbing David Holden Susan Nirah Jaffee
Jim “Danger” Gray Todd Helbing Chris Hollier Jennifer Johnson
Sylvia Green Felicia Henderson Nick Holly Dave Kalstein
Drew Z. Greenberg Joe Henderson Davey Holmes Steven Kane
Joy Gregory Holly Henderson Michael Horowitz Mauricio Katz
Emily Halpern Darin Henry Adam Horowitz Gloria Calderon Kellett
Taylor Hamra Cheryl Heuton Jason Horwitch Scott King
Kyle Harimoto Abraham Higginbotham David Hudgins Eddy Kitsis Aaron Korsh Luisa Leschin Don McGill Henry Alonso Myers
Steve Kriozere Steve Lightfood Colleen McGuinness Margaret Nagle
Elizabeth Kruger Kat Likkel Jacqueline McKinley Michael Narducci
Sarah Kucserka Adele Lim Turi Meyer DJ Nash
Patrick Labyorteaux Jonathan Lisco Adam Milch Matt Nix
Lori Lakin Hutcherson Dean Lopata Kam Miller John Norris
David Lampson Erin Maher Ashley Miller Bryan Oh
Amanda Lasher Antonia March Bryan Moore Erik Oleson
Sheila Lawrence Scott Marder Rick Muirragui Chris Ord
Jenny Lee George Mastras Christopher Murphey Jessica O’Toole
Andrew Leeds Glen Mazzara Charles Murray Jan Oxenberg
Gary Lennon Alison McDonald Ally Musika Ryan Oxford Michael Oates Palmer Ben Queen Dailyn Rodriguez Ajay Sahgal
Laurie Parres Rashad Raisani Christopher Rogers Peter Saji
Kamran Pasha Marco Ramirez Rob Rosell Danielle Sanchez-Witzel
Michael Perry Ron Rappaport Scott Rosenbaum Ken Sanzel
Brian Peterson Amy Rardin Seth Zvi Rosenfeld Teri Schaffer
Chris Peterson Corey Reed Bert Royal Deb Schoeneman
Daniel Petrie Jr. Kay Reindl Paul Ruehl David Schulner
Chrissy Pietrosh Michael Reisz Stacy Rukeyser Bragi Schut
Nancy M. Pimental Sean Reycraft Angela Russo Al Septien
Joe Pokaski Scott Reynolds Joe Sachs Sanjay Shah
Robert Port Pamela Ribon Tad Safran Craig Shapiro
Scott Prendergast Kathleen Robertson Joshua Safran Far Shariat Jessica Sharzer Zack Stentz Raelle Tucker Wendy West
Jon Sherman John Stephens Kriss Turner Don Whitehead
Emily Silver James Stoteraux Bridget Tyler David Wilcox
Josh Silverstein Christy Stratton Carla Waddles Virgil Williams
Todd Slavkin Veena Sud Dahvi Waller Joe Wilson
Kelly Souders Michael Sussman Brad Walsh Sam Wolfson
Esta Spalding Craig Sweeny Matt Ward Roger Wolfson
Malcolm Spellman Raynelle Swilling Ben Watkins Alexander Woo
Salvatore Stabile Darren Swimmer Sarah Watson Rob Wright
Nick Stanton Janet Tamaro Sharon Lee Watson Alice Wu
Jon Steinberg Christian Taylor Stephnie Weir Alan Yang
Reed Steiner Melinda Hsu Taylor Gren Wells Bird York